Mixtape Madness #9: 33 Songs for 11.11.11

According to the novel High Fidelity the making of a good mix tape, like breaking up, is hard to do. Furthermore, a good mix is never finished. You never know when you will come across a song that changes the dynamic of the mix you just completed. There is a litany of intricacies to crafting the ideal mix no matter what the mix’s intended purpose should be. This feature is merely a guide on the cosmic highway of mix making, and while experienced, the writer does not claim to be an expert.

 

33 Songs for 11.11.11

People seem to making a big deal over today's date. 11.11.11. Quite frankly, I'm not impressed. Call me on February 22, 2222 and then I'll be impressed. Mainly because that would only be possible if I was still alive and kicking just27 days short of my 238th birthday. But that is beside the point. The point is, I will now share with you 33 songs that I have been enjoying recently.

1- "My Body" by Young the Giant: I was lucky enough to catch these guys in concert toward the end of summer, and this is one of several catchy tunes they have.
 
2- "Faster" by Matt Nathanson: Matt debuted this song last October at a concert in Aston, PA that I was at. While I liked that raw, unfinished version better, this radio cut is pretty cool (and reminiscent of George Michael's "Faith")
 
3- " I Wanna Be The One" by fun.: After being told how great fun was all summer, I finally started listening to them about a week ago. I wish I started earlier.
 
4- "She's Got You" by Cosmo Jarvis: Ever since I got a ukulele, I've noticed how many great uke songs are out there, and this is one of them.
 
5- "Hold Me Up" by Live: This was the perfect song for the sex scene in Zack and Miri Make a Porno, which is probably the only place you would have heard it.
 
6- "When I'm Small" by Phantogram: The summer of 2011 was a great one for discovering new music like this super cool track.
 
7- "Ruby Blue" by Roison Murphy: I had this song in constant rotation a couple of years ago and it is starting to make a comeback.
8- "Baby Let's Dance Together" by Kittu Gidwani: In case you were wondering, this is the point in the mix at which the dance break begins. Shake it.
 
9- "Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix)" by Kid Cudi: I heard this in the trailer for Project X and had to have it. 
 
10- "Last Night" by the Morning Benders: This is a cover of the Strokes' song, and man is it cool or what?
 
11- "Walking the Cow" by TV on the Radio: I can't get enough of the chords that drive this song.
 
12- "Young Blood" by the Naked and Famous: Another one from a concert I saw this summer.
 
13- "We Are Young" by fun. with Janelle Monae: If this song doesn't make you want to stand up and sing along as loud as humanly possible, check your pulse. Then check the cool acoustic version here.
 
14- "Tightrope" by Yeasayer: I am of course referring to this version that was featured in a recent Song of the Day. Music is everywhere!
 
15- "The Underdog" by Spoon: This is just such a well-orchestrated tune. Super cool video, too.
 
16- "The Authority Song" by Jimmy Eat World: Songs often evoke memories, this one reminds me of being on campus in the fall semester and usually finds its way into my rotation when the leaves start to change.
 
17- "Cameras" by Matt & Kim: I love Matt & Kim. I first heard this song as a remix on the "Block By Block" B-Side.
 
18- "Cough Syrup" by Young the Giant: As I lack a certain sense of music-snobbiness, I happen to really enjoy catchy songs. This is a catchy song. Hence, enjoyment.
 
19- "Starlight" by Muse: It is rare that a karaoke performance makes you like a song more, but such is the case here. Nice job Becca and Jim. 
 

Jim and Becca, shortly before nailing "Starlight"

20- "Coal War" by Joshua James: I got turned on to Joshua James courtesy of the Fuel & Friends blog's Stomp & Clap mix. 
 
21- "Heroes" by David Bowie: This song will never stop being incredible. Bowie is pretty freaking amazing.
 
22- "Dancin' in the Moonlight" by King Harvest: For some reason, this is the quintessential autumn song for me. 
 
23- "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" by the White Stripes: Okay, so maybe this is the quintessential autumn song. 
 
24- "The Passenger" by Iggy Pop: As Lester Bangs would say, "Iggy Pop, Amen!" Plus, David Bowie pops up again as a background singer.
 
25- "Wild Mountain Nation" by Blitzen Trapper: This was probably my most-played song of the summer this year.
 
26- "Got You Where I Want You" by the Flys: Can we just skip this whole 80's comeback and be nostalgic about the 90's now?
 

I'm referring to these 90's...

27- "The Golden Age" by Asteroids Galaxy Tour: I know a lot of songs claim to have it, but this song has swagger.
 
28- "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" by REM: I'm so sad that REM is calling it a day, but luckily they left us gems like this kickass, straight-up rock song to enjoy. Plus, more 90's nostalgia.
 

...not these 90's.

29- "Headlights" by Night Moves: I'm a big fan of driving songs. This is a damned good driving song.
 
30- "Ban Marriage" by the Hidden Cameras: I first heard this in one of Francis X. Friel's films and have been hooked since.
 
31- "Mr. Blue Sky" by Mayer Hawthorne: This is a pretty legit cover of a great ELO song, and being a fan of both ELO and cover songs, I figured I'd include it here.
 
32- "Two Weeks" by Grizzly Bear: Have commercial jingles always been so catchy? When did commercials become a great source for new music?
 
33- "The Original" by Incubus: I figured I would end the 33 songs for 11.11.11 with some heavy guitar riffs that will shred your brains. Enjoy!